Gang-gang Novem ber 2003

News letter of the Canberra Ornithologists Group Inc.

THE ‘From the ANNUAL membership officer’ Our pallid winter days are marked, commas around a phrase, rom time to time I receive muted GENERAL by a passing flock F of yellow-tailed black cockatoos. whispers that people haven’t Bold and clamorous they fly – received their monthly newsletter MEETING towards the sun at first light, Gang-gang. While I do my best to back through the western sky at dusk. ensure that a mailing label is Wednesday 12 November created for all current members We wake to the sound of squeals, each month, I do make mistakes. Details pg 3 contact calls, as they beat a path Most often this is caused by a to the forest rim on Mugga ridge. delay in the processing of Moving and murmuring, they work over tree after tree, subscriptions and me updating the membership database. To a lesser Contents strip the bark for grubs in red-gums and gorge themselves on pine-cones. extent this happens because no Û mailing label is created for a As the day draws in we hear them, particular member due to some Field trip reports 2 shrill and pure as children’s play; vagary in Microsoft Access. For Future field trips 9 the sated birds flap slowly home those affected I apologise. From your committee 9 to gullies in the hill behind us. Draft Field Trips 2004 12 Their shapes define our limits: Another reason you may not have AvIan Whimsy #15 15 warn of the time to embrace COG information 16 the other world; received your Gang-gang is or when to lower blinds, because your subscription has build up the fire expired. All memberships run on a and crowd together in the roost. financial year basis, i.e. from 01 July to 30 June, irrespective of Suzanne Edgar 1/10/03 when the subscription is paid. The

committee allows 3 months grace, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo but after 30 September each year, (Calyptorhynchus funereus) members who have not paid their Photo courtesy Geoffrey Dabb subscription are made inactive. The currency of your subscription

Gang-gang November 2003 1

throated, Whited-throated, B r o w n & B l u e - f a c e d Honeyeaters among the earliest callers soon joined by Bar- shouldered Doves, Orioles and Pardalotes. A Blue-winged Kookaburra started to wind up, but after a few brief notes quickly realised how out of tune he was with all the others, and gave up.

The light increased and birds started to come in for a drink. Eight Pale-headed Rosellas decorated the limbs of a dead tree, displaying their creams and blues to perfection in the growing light. A little to the right three Red- winged Parrots arrived to add a splash of brilliant colour. Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) Photo courtesy Geoffrey Dabb Then a quiet voice behind me, “The first pair have arrived - on appears on each and every mailing your left”. Klaus had told us label so please take a moment to Field Trip Reports earlier that the parrots, if they read the label. What you can do to came in to drink, would probably GOLDEN SHOULDERED help me is to ensure your come to one of the trees near the PARROTS - NOT JUST A membership remains current is to dam, sit around for a while, come TICK pay your subscription before the down to drink, and when all were end of the financial year. This done, fly off to feed. So head What more auspicious start to an year, less than half the COG adventure could there be than to swivelled as far to the left as I m e m b e r s h i p p a i d t h e i r see Geoffrey Dabb, in full birding could get it, I glimpsed the hint of subscription by the June deadline. gear standing at the entrance to the a up high. A minute or so Often I receive membership park giving us a dignified and later, “They are coming in, from renewals right up until Christmas. correct military salute in farewell! behind. Don’t bother to crick your neck.” Six/seven minutes and At any time, if you do not receive A couple of days later, just before about 10 or more (I was too busy a Gang-gang or Canberra Bird dawn, four of us were installed in looking to count!) moved to a Notes, in the first instance please comfy chairs beside a dam on small tree at the edge of the call me on 0401 993 381 or email waterhole, right where my chair Cape York hoping that Golden- me at [email protected]. I was pointed. shouldered Parrots would come can tell you on the spot if you are in to drink soon after dawn. The a current member and if a mailing waiting was time for a wonderful After giving us a reasonable view label was printed for the offending concert of one of the best dawn they flew down to join the other mailout. If there has been a choruses I have ever heard. (I parrots and doves drinking. The problem I can then take action to must admit that for a bird watcher, females and juveniles went first, ensure a copy is sent out to you. I am not always good at rising with a full coloured male

early enough to actually hear this appearing to supervise or stand Regards guard from the rear. Most of the aural delight.) I heard Yellow- Alastair Smith Membership Officer parrots had taken their drink when

Gang-gang November 2003 2 suddenly all the birds left the Shrike-tits at the same site, six water’s edge in a great hurry and Masked Woodswallows on the returned to their previous perch. eastern side of the reserve (a flock Annual General Everything went so quiet, so quiet of 20 had also been reported on Meeting I felt I should hold my breath. the COG email list in the weeks 8 pm Then in swooped a Peregrine before the survey), Speckled W ednesday Falcon. The Golden-shouldered Warblers and Scarlet Robins at

did not move – no alarm 12 Novem ber Parrots several sites, and Latham's calls, no agitation, just stillness. Snipe, a Hoary-headed Grebe Canberra Girls Grammar School and a Little Corella at the large cnr Gawler Cres and Melbourne A long time after the brief visit of dam, which has some water in it Ave, Deakin the Peregrine Falcon a juvenile now even though the wall is not AGM Agenda male and a full coloured male flew yet repaired. Interestingly, I saw 1. Opening of meeting down for their drink, then returned one Red-necked Wallaby at the 2. Apologies for non-attendance to the tree. Instead of going off to northern end of the reserve near 3. Confirmation of the minutes feed all the parrots decided to stay site 10; I have occasionally of the previous Annual Gen- in the safety of the tree. We were recorded this species before at eral Meeting (copies of the able to watch and quietly pass the Mulligan's but not for several minutes will be available at scope from one to the other to years - it has commonly been the door) identify the juveniles and full found in the forest areas of the 4. Presentation of Annual Re- port coloured adults. Brindabella ranges. Thanks to all 5. Adoption of Annual Report the volunteers who assisted with 6. Presentation of Treasurer's We also kept an eye on a pair of the survey, now in its 9th annual statement of accounts Striated Pardalotes busy with year. The next survey is Sunday (enclosed in this Gang-gang) their nest in the bank of the 30 November, volunteers please 7. Adoption of Treasurer's an- waterhole in front of us. leave a phone message for me on nual statement of accounts 6288 7802 in the week before the 8. Election of officers Eventually all the parrots survey if you are available - bring (President, Vice-president, Treasurer and Secretary) and departed. How fortunate we had mug for morning tea, clipboard, ordinary committee members been, not only to see the birds but pencil etc, and wear sturdy shoes. 9. Other matters for which no- to have circumstances such that tice has been given they stayed so long. Finding the Jenny Bounds 10.Closing of meeting…then on Golden-shouldered Parrot was not to the fun stuff… just another tick, but an NEWLINE SURVEY unforgettable two-three hour SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER The main speaker will be COG member experience. 2003 Reid McLachlan, on 'Identifying ducks in flight'. Reid has been involved in water- Mary Jones Sue Lashko assisted me to survey fowl identification testing for the nine sites at Newline, on a sporting shooters in New South MULLIGAN'S FLAT SURVEY cold and windy afternoon - the Wales and will show us video SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER only time I had available in my footage used in the process 2003 schedule. It was relatively quiet, and highlight the finer points of with only 35 species recorded and identification. The spring survey was in fine and few spring migrants around. The Geoffrey Dabb will follow with a Round Hill video sunny weather, after a cold big highlight was four Brown extravaganza. night. 59 species were Treecreepers in the front paddock recorded. Highlights were a pair (usually we get a pair there, and of Hooded Robins back at site 21 occasionally more, maybe they Don’t miss it! (we had not recorded them there have bred recently?), plus for a while), and a pair of Crested Speckled Warbler, Southern

Gang-gang November 2003 3

Whiteface, Jacky Winter common bird species. However, WOLLONGONG AREA a n d o n e M a s k e d in keeping with the very slow SHOREBIRD/PELAGIC TRIP, Woodswallow. One of the season so far very few spring 18-19 OCTOBER 2003 biggest flocks of Sulphur-crested migrants were seen, mainly Cockatoos I have seen on a confined to a number of Dusky A goodly number of COG woodland survey, around 160 Woodswallows, several Tree m e m b e r s a n d f r i e n d s birds, was feeding in one paddock. Martins and a female White- rendezvoused on a mild, sunny winged Triller feeding on the Saturday lunchtime at the mouth Jenny Bounds ground, posing some identification of Lake , near Windang problems for those who first saw (south of Wollongong), for the KELLY ROAD/TSR 36 it. beginning of a most enjoyable 12 OCTOBER 2003 Both White-plumed and Fuscous weekend field trip. We lunched on Honeyeaters were common, with the southern side of the estuary When within 5 minutes of getting the latter typically mainly in the and, with telescopes a little out of our cars a group of three southern half of our kilometre or unsteady in the wind, commenced Hooded Robins landed and so walk down the road from the the task of identifying the perched within a metre of each start of TSR 36. My estimate was shorebirds that we could see some other on the cross bar of a that there were at least 20 of them, distance away on the sand flats. telephone pole right in front of us, with all participants obtaining The Bar-tailed Godwits and I knew were in for a good morning good views and also becoming Eastern Curlews posed no in spite of the less than perfect fa miliar wit h t he ir very identification problems but a conditions with a very cold characteristic call, given mostly group of waders with heads and blustery S wind blowing. One during the summer period. Both bills secured beneath their wings male had a noticeably greyer hood species were observed nest were not so easy. Knots, for sure. than the other, indicative of a building, with the fuscous building Red or Great? Resisting the young bird. The group then a very woolly structure with temptation to decide on the basis proceeded to forage close by in material obtained from the of a majority decision (pooled typical perch and pounce fashion adjacent sheep paddock. ignorance?) most of us concurred from fences, stones, sticks etc for with Sue Lashko, the shorebird at least 10 minutes, allowing the Close to 40 species were seen or big gun of the group, that they 1 0 m e m b e r s w h o h a d heard, an impressive number were Red Knots. Strolling along accompanied me to this favourite given the conditions. I’m not sure the estuary towards the sea we got spot to see all the identification what makes this particular spot so onto more waders including Red- features, particularly for the much special. Perhaps it is the mix of necked Stints, Red-capped less striking female. very mature yellow and apple box Plovers and Large (Greater) trees (an unusual combination in Sand Plovers, along with This sighting heralded the my experience) combined with the Caspian, Crested, Common and observation of a number of the sweet briar etc under storey or Whiskered Terns, gulls, declining species, with great views more importantly the open cormorants, etc. A rain shower of Brown Treecreepers obtained paddocks in which to feed. somewhat scattered our party, soon after (with at least 10 birds Despite the some times very cold with some participants regrouping for the morning), a Restless conditions all participants for a visit to the sand flats on the Flycatcher, a male Scarlet thoroughly enjoyed what was a northern side of the estuary, and Robi n, se veral Southern new spot for most, and I can then seeing what we could see Whiteface and a Jacky Winter thoroughly recommend a visit to around the southern shore of the (the latter two are not common all members, particularly in the Lake. The final birding event was here), all seen at close quarters. period from October through to a visit to the Heritage Park, a April. casuarina-dominated area of forest In fact at one stage it appeared between the Wollongong road and there were more of the rarer than Jack Holland the Lake. It produced a small

Gang-gang November 2003 4

We recorded about 20 species at sea, including four species of petrel (my favourite was the delightful brown-and-white, tubby Cape Petrel); six shearwater species; one Albatross (the Campbell Island Albatross in the new or Black-browed in the old); Wilson's Storm-Petrel; Brown Skua; and Pomarine Jaeger; along with diverse gulls, terns and gannets. Many were around the ship once we reached the edge of the continental shelf some 37 km NE of Wollongong, well east of the 151st meridian of longitude.

By the early afternoon the barometer was telling us that the forecasted change was immanent, so we headed back towards Wollongong, surfing in, as Carl put it, on following seas. With the ship being relatively stable, it was

a good time for the licensed Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) Association (details at http:// Photo courtesy Geoffrey Dabb SOSSA members to do some members.ozemail.com.au/~sossa). catching, banding and releasing. number of species of bush birds, Milburn provided some hints on How was this done? Milburn including Figbirds. Dinner at the minimising the risk of sea sickness stood at the stern of the ship with Lake Illawarra Yacht Club was and, after passing through the a large butterfly net in his hands; enjoyable, even though most of us Wollongong harbour, we headed Mike threw burley out; the birds were being careful what and how NE towards the continental shelf. came to the vessel and, with deft much we ate and drank, bearing in swishes of the net, were captured mind the challenges awaiting us Among the first pelagic species to by Milburn one at a time and on the morrow. be spotted - more accurately, to be swung on board where Lindsay attracted to the burley we extracted them from the net, The morrow dawned and 20-odd dispensed - were the familiar banded them, recorded the details of us met at the Wollongong inner 'muttonbirds': various species of and released them. In all, our harbour at 0645 hours to board shearwaters. Our guides' expertise SOSSA team banded about 20 MV Sandra K for our full day came to the fore, not just in shearwaters two of which were pelagic birding trip. Strong winds identifying the species for us but, recaptures. Based on the numbers and rising seas were forecasted for more importantly, in helping us to on their bands, these birds were the arvo, leaving some of us a learn how to differentiate between probably banded 15-20 years ago, little apprehensive. We boarded what sometimes looked like an we were advised. What incredible and met our skipper, Carl Loves, indistinguishable blur of swiftly distances they must have travelled and our birding guides, Peter moving brown seabirds. As over their lifetimes, considering Milburn, Lindsay Smith and Mike someone remarked, 'I bet you that many of these birds migrate Double from SOSSA: the didn't know there were so many annually to the North Pacific! Southern Oceans Seabird Study shades of brown!'.

Gang-gang November 2003 5

We arrived back at Wollongong

harbour at 1545 hours. Most of us COG SALES had seen new species, and all had • Finding Birds in Darwin, Kakadu and Top End had the opportunity to learn more by Niven McCrie and James Watson. $24.00. of our pelagic birds and to trial yet • The Birds of Prey of Australia Field Guide more techniques of warding off by Stephen Debus, $12.50 (Special Price) sea-sickness (with differing • Messant Calenders 2004, "Birds of Australia" results!). We are grateful to Jack and/or "Australian Wildflowers", $8.00. Holla nd for ma king t he • Wet and Wild - A Field Guide to the administrative arrangements for Freshwater of the Southern Tablelands the weekend; Julie McGuiness and and High Country" by M Lintermans and W Osborne, $28.00 (RRP Sue Lashko for the terrestrial $34.95). leading; Milburn, Lindsay and • Wildlife on Farms - by David Lindenmayer RRP $29.95, Mike for the pelagic guiding; and SPECIAL PRICE for COG members - $25.00. Carl for keeping the Sandra K as • Where to Find Birds in NE Queensland - Joe Wieneke - $16.00. stable a birding platform as • Reptiles and Frogs of the ACT - Ross Bennett - $13.00. possible , c onsidering t he • Native Trees of the ACT - $6.50. conditions. • Birds of Rottnest Island – by Denis Saunders & Parry de Rebeira -$15.00 David McDonald • Birds of Rottnest Island – a check list - $1.00 • Grassland Flora – a Field Guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW and ACT) – by David Eddy et al. - $13.00 I saw a most peculiar man, • Our Patch – Field Guide to the Flora of the ACT Region - $13.00 all giggling with glee. • The Nestbox Book – Gould League - $9.00 Sniffing at a petrel as it swam • Birds of Queensland’s Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef upon the sea. by Lloyd Nielsen - $25.00 "I love the smell of petrel," • Guide to the Bird of NSW (ACT) is all the fellow said. NSW Atlassers -$27.00 I wish that there were more like • Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT – by Taylor and Day $14.00 him; that darling petrel head. • Simpson and Days’ Birds of Australia CDROM Version 5.0 SPECIAL PRICE - $45.00 Poem by Michael Leunig printed • Field Guide to the Birds of Australia in the Morning Herald (27 by Pizzey and Knight -$35.00 Oct 1995) and posted to Birdchat • COG Birds of Canberra Gardens - $25.00 by Trevor Quested. • COG Atlas - $12.00

COG Car Stickers - $2.00 • WEDDIN MOUNTAINS • COG Birds of Canberra Gardens Poster - $4.00 NATIONAL PARK, LABOUR • COG Garden Bird Survey Chart (New Version) - $1.00 DAY LONG WEEKEND • COG Badges – two colour versions - $5.00 CAMP-OUT, 4-6 OCTOBER • COG Birds of the ACT – Two Centuries of Change – 2003 by Steve Wilson - $25.00 • COG Annotated Checklist of the Birds of the ACT - $1.00 Due to a variety of reasons, • COG Bird Songs of Canberra – Cassette - $10.00. especially the flu, what started off COG T-shirts, Polo shirts, all above and other books on local flora as a baker’s dozen of participants and fauna available at the monthly meeting sales desk or by at the beginning of the week contacting Carol Macleay (for post and packing costs) shrank to just 3 members who on 02 6286 2624. joined me at this camp-out. Following the COG camp-out here

Gang-gang November 2003 6

breasted Woodswallow, and a possible Intermediate Egret, which was too far away to allow completely positive identification.

As often happens, the best was saved until last. As we were driving out along the road for a quick stop at Holy Camp before heading home, we were alerted by some NSW bird watchers to a Black Falcon perched on a dead limb below a nest that was said to contain two chicks. Again this bird allowed the best views I’ve ever had of this elusive species. Coupled with two Banded Lapwing in the adjacent paddock (a pretty rare species in these parts in recent times), this provided a perfect finish to a great weekend.

Thank you Stuart, Lia and Philip Monga National Park of the declining species such as Photo courtesy David Rees for sharing it with me. Brown Treecreeper, Speckled over Easter 2002, I was Warbler, Jacky Winter, Red- Jack Holland and particularly keen to revisit this capped Hooded Robin, Grey-crowned and White- area in spring, and we weren’t to browed Babbler and Double- be disappointed. A total of 63 MONGA NATIONAL PARK barred Finch were found there. species were recorded within 2 km NEAR BRAIDWOOD NSW However, the undoubted highlight of the camp site. While this was SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER 2003 was a perched well down on the over 80 species Turquoise Parrot in a dead tree for over 5 minutes, seen that Easter, the many extra A total of 15 members spent the which allowed us to closely pairs of eyes, the extra day and the day in the recently proclaimed approach and obtain by far the then drought may have accounted Monga National Park (formely best views I’ve had of this for this difference. State Forest) guided by David normally fractious species. It was McDonald. Weather was partly also seen or heard a number of At the magical spot along the road cloudy with the rain staying away other times, including several about 1 km before you reach the until the party was leaving. The times flying through the camp site, camp site we picked up 43 species cloud cover provided some relief but only those with sensitive ears in a couple of hours birding on from the painful noise of the or quick eyes managed to get a Sunday morning, with another 3 cicadas which had hatched out en brief sighting. species added in 10 minutes as we mass. Forget listening for birds were leaving on Monday. This when the sun came out! On Sunday afternoon we visited spot is where the open callitris Gum Swamp, where again we saw forest (with lots of fallen dead At the Mongalowe River which is over 40 species in less than 2 timber) abuts bare non-cropped flanked by flowering Monga hours, including 31 not seen at the farm land, typical edge warratahs (Teleopea mongensis) Weddin Mountains. Highlights which many birds seem to forage good views of both Flame and included and in and then return to the cover Freckled Blue- Rose Robins were had. A Brown offered across the road. A number billed Ducks, Darter, White- Thornbill nest was found in a tree

Gang-gang November 2003 7

WEDNESDAY 12 bores in search of birds. Other WALK; than Zebra Finches we found CAMPBELL very few birds in any abundance PARK and our bird counts took a lot of 15 OCTOBER hard work in the field to build up. 2003 We did find lots of wild camels Nine of us enjoyed and signs of other feral animals a stroll through the such as horses. Most the property Campbell Park had been burnt, perhaps again and w o od l a n d s i n again, and our best counts of all pe rfect spring forms of wildlife were in the few conditions. We unburnt areas. As regular visitors Diamond Firetails were rewarded with to the NT may know Newhaven (Steganopleurs guttatum) good sightings of about 30 like much of the NT has suffered Photo courtesy Helen Fallow species. Dollarbird, Dusky from the continuing practice of

Woodswallow, and White- pastoralists and aborigines alike close to the river. Walking back a throated Gerygone were newly burning off the countryside. Re d-browe d Tr eec ree per arrived migrants. Good views of appeared in the path a metre a Speckled Warblers were another By contrast elsewhere in the two from the group allowing us highlight. Centre where permanent water all a good look. Whistlers were could be found, or in unburnt in evidence, with Olive, Rufous Tom Green country, we obtained some good and Golden being recorded. counts in no time at all. We found Grey Fantails were everywhere the bush camping facilities very but many were Rufous Fantails NEWHAVEN RESERVE good at Newhaven. The excellent also seen. NORTHERN TERRITORY combination of signs and recently

(NT) graded tracks made traveling Another walk was taken to a stand around Newhaven in our 4WDs of Pinkwood (Eucryphia moorei) In early August 2003 I joined a relatively easy too. All this a true Gondwanan reminant. High 4WD tag-along tour which reflects well on the long hours and up on these trees were flowering commenced in Alice Springs and hard work put in by the new plants of the Orange Blossom finished near Broken Hill over manager and various rangers over Orchid (Sarcochilus falcatus). 5000 km later. The tour was time. Along the way a Large-billed organized by the Echuca Branch Scrubwren was found, other birds of BOCA. Two of the dozen My suggestion is that future of note seen were Crested 4WDs on the trip were crewed by visitors from COG should be Shrike-tit and Black-faced COG members. aware that getting Newhaven into Monarch. recovery mode as a bird reserve Newhaven was our first port of will take a long time. Most of the A walk up Monga Lane/Reidsdale call. Newhaven is about 360 km national parks we visited in Road convinced the group that the NW of Alice Springs on the western Queensland and NSW Monga Forest Preserve was southern side of the Tanamai were former cattle properties a serious Eastern Whipbird Highway. We enjoyed mild decade or two ago and they also heaven, Pilotbirds were also weather, no freezing nights and have a long way to go before heard, with possible fleeting even copped a couple of overnight re c o ve r y t he r e i s ve ry glances. In total 39 species of thunderstorms. Over 4 days we visible. Newhaven could be birds were recorded in the day. traversed most of the extensive worth a side visit by travelers number of tracks around using the Tanamai to get to or David Rees Newhaven and visited most of the from NW WA or by those on a

Gang-gang November 2003 8 leisurely trip up to Darwin. The stocks, but that detailed members about the values of this manager will certainly welcome consideration should be site, in particular its population of any volunteers with trade skills undertaken by the incoming Blakely's red gum, yellow box and willing to undertake one of the committee. Likewise with other trees, as well as its birdlife. many jobs needed to be done on suggestions for publication of a It was agreed to repeat the outing, this huge property. new edition of the Atlas of the bulldozers permitting, in the Birds of the ACT. spring, when the bird life could be Chris Bellamy, Nowra • to express gratitude to David expected to be at its peak. While Cook for the continued high the site has since been sold, work quality of the COG website. has not yet commenced, and Dick FROM YOUR Schodde (6281 3732) has again Doug Laing agreed to lead this walk. Meet COMMITTEE Dick at the top of Callemonda 15 OCTOBER 2003 Rise at 8.00 am for a couple of Future Field Trips hours stroll to see the birds and the At its 15 October meeting trees of this area. With work Committee noted, amongst other EAST O'MALLEY expected to commence early in the things: WOODLAND; SUNDAY 9 New Year, this may be your last NOVEMBER 2003 - chance to see it its current form. • a written response from the MORNING WALK Commonwealth Dept of CAMPBELL PARK; SUNDAY Environment and Heritage In response to calls to protect the 16 NOVEMBER 2003 – advising that East O’Malley important habitat that occurs at MORNING NEST woodland could not be subject to East O’Malley, in mid June Dick WORKSHOP action under the Environment Schodde provided expert guidance Protection and Biodiversity to a large number of COG This visit to Campbell Park, Conservation Act (EPBC Act) arguably the best bit of grassy 1999. Spotless Crake woodland in Canberra, has been (Porzana tabuensis) • a response from the ACT Govt timed to co-incide with the peak Photo courtesy Geoffrey Dabb advising that housing will not be of the breeding season. The aim permitted to immediately abut reserve areas at Mulligans Flat. • that Barry Baker and Doug Laing would not be renominating for President and Secretary respectively. • that Jack Holland would be nominating for President on the incoming Committee at the November AGM.

And agreed:

• to seek quotes for supply of approximately 300 GBS data sheets and to arrange correction of errors on existing edition. • that publication of a new edition of Birds of Canberra Gardens had merit, given current low

Gang-gang November 2003 9 of the morning is to brush up on CALOOLA FARM/NAAS FIRE rooms. You bring food, bed linen members’ skills and will involve a TRAIL; 21-23 NOVEMBER and towels. Communal sharing short presentation including tips 2003 WEEKEND ATLASSING meals will be arranged where on how to find nests or nesting EVENT possible. If you are interested behaviour, followed by some please contact Jenny Bounds practical exercises. There will This will be an atlassing event, (6288 7802 A/H), who will be also be plenty of opportunity for with emphasis on obtaining data leading and organising this outing. bird watching. Lets hope this along the Naas fire trail. It will be While there has been some spring is as successful as last year over 2 nights, Friday and interest in this outing, Jenny is was. Saturday, staying at Caloola farm in particular still looking for within an hour's drive from several participants who can Jack Holland, with help from Canberra, where there is cottage help with 4 WD vehicles. Janet Gardner, who knows the accommodation at very reasonable area very well through her Ph D rates and some overflow camping Participants can pay their money studies on the speckled warbler, sites available. at the AGM in November. Jenny will be conducting this event. If will provide meeting and other you are interested in participating, COG has atlassed the Naas fire details, what to bring etc, at the please contact Jack Holland (6288 trail before and it will be very November meeting or will post 7840 A/H or by E-mail on useful to collect more data post these to people after that. [email protected]). Meet fires in the Namadgi National at 7.30 am at the picnic tables at Park. The Naas Valley is a the far end of the car park. particularly beautiful spot, and one BRINDABELLAS; SUNDAY 30 of the few places that was not NO VEM BE R 20 03 –D AY extensively burned in the January OUTING WEDNESDAY WALK – bushfires, and was untouched 19 NOVEMBER 2003– south of Horse Gully Hut. We This is COG's traditional annual JERRABOMBERRA will be walking to some places visit to the Blundells Creek/Warks WETLANDS and also doing a drive along Roads area of the Brindabellas, the fire trail south through which as members know was On the third Wednesday of each Namadgi NP in an area usually devastated in the 18 January bush mont h t he re is a wa lk closed to vehicles. Access has fires. In spite of this the outing commencing at 9am. There is been approved for entry of up to will go ahead, as it will provide usually a more experienced four 4WDs into the Park. We members an opportunity to see the member or two along to help should record an excellent variety fire damage and also to see what identify birds seen on these self- of bush and forest birds at a prime birds will be there this spring/ organising outings. The relaxed time of the year, and will be summer. Permission for access to pace of these walks suit them to especially looking for some of the this still closed area has now been new and prospective members. A t hre at ene d a nd de c lining obt a i ne d. Me e t Br uc e late spring visit to discover what's woodland birds, like Brown L i nde n ma ye r a t Ur i a r ra around at this time of year in this Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail, Homestead (cnr Cotter and Uriarra very good birding area. Easy Southern Whiteface. Being Rds) at 8.30am. Following a walking. Meet at the carpark off based right at the top of the valley quick look at the water birds on Dairy Flat road next to Kelly’s will optimise the time we can the large dam there, we will car Swamp at 9 am. There will be an spend birding, and it should be a pool, and also do the usual shuffle, option to drive around to the main very relaxing and interesting leaving some cars at the top of gate of the Sewage Ponds weekend. Blundells Ck Rd and some at the afterwards. Bring morning tea. bottom so we only need to walk Accommodation will be in a downhill. Could those intending comfortable farmhouse, at $22 per to participate please ring Bruce head for the 2 nights, in shared (6288 5957) beforehand as due to

Gang-gang November 2003 10 the sensitivity of the area and experience with the Kosciblitz number of different habitats and potential parking problems it has surveys. It will allow members to consequently a wide range of birds been agreed to limit numbers. e njoy t he e a rly a ut umn may be seen. These include the atmosphere in Australia’s highest Terrick Terrick National Park TSR 60/MOUNTAIN CREEK country and also to see the birds (Gilbert’s Whistler, Chestnut- ROAD; SUNDAY 7 that occur there. In particular it’s rumped Thornbill), a day in the DECEMBER 2003 – one of the more accessible places rugged sandstone escarpments MORNING OUTING close to Canberra where Pink of the Grampians (Long-billed Robins and Olive Whistlers can Corella and various honeyeaters), The final COG outing for 2004 be reliably seen. There are also a 3 nights at Whimpey’s Little will be to this popular spot to the number of walks of varying Desert Lodge (Malleefowl, NW of Canberra. While the main difficulty for members to enjoy. Southern Scrub-robin, Shy focus will be to observe the birds Heathwren and Purple-gaped that live in TSR 60, a couple of As for the Kosciblitz surveys it is Honeyeater), a visit to the other TSRs and local dams will proposed we will stay at Boali Kerang/Tullakool wetlands (a also be visited. Meet David Lodge and enjoy Michelle’s variety of waterbirds/waders) and McDonald 6231 8904 or email legendary hospitality. We’ve been will culminate in 2 nights in [email protected] at penciled for a maximum of about Deniliquin where Phil Maher will the large dam at the Uriarra 20 people, with the option of full again show COG members the Homestead on the corner of Cotter board or bed and breakfast. The Plains Wanderer, Inland and Uriarra Rds at 8 am for this cost for the former is $90 for the Dotterel and his many other morning outing. Take morning first night reducing to $75 for the special birds. tea. second ($165 for 2 nights), and for the latter is $105 for 2 nights As an added incentive Emu Tours ($60/45 per night). A $6 COG are offering this longer trip at the admin fee will need to be added to same price as last year. They will each. also operate it with as few as 8 If you’re interested please register and a maximum of 12 participants. with Jack Holland 6288 7840 AH The cost will be $1366 per person, o r b y e m a i l o n and is based on COG’s field trip [email protected] as soon policy guidelines including a COG as possible. A $25 deposit should administration fee of $16 per be paid within one month of person. booking, to secure your spot on this outing. Accommodation will be en-suite twin share throughout, with the Black-tailed Native-hen possible option of single (Gallinula ventralis) COG GOES PLAINS- accommodation on some nights Photo courtesy Geoffrey Dabb WANDERING TO THE for a single supplement. All MALLEE WITH EMU TOURS accommodation, meals, transport SUNDAY 28 MARCH TO and guiding is included in the tour Longer trips SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2004 cost - with the exception of lunch on the first and last days, an a la THREDBO; CANBERRA DAY This will be a repeat of the highly carte dinner at Halls Gap, drinks, LONG WEEKEND successful Emu Tour of April and items of a personal nature. 13-15 MARCH 2004 2003 (see write up in the May Travel will be in a 20 seater edition of Gang-gang), but with Coaster bus. This visit to Thredbo over the an extra day spent in the Canberra Day Long Weekend on Grampians. While only a short To book your place on this very 13-15 March 2004 is based on our trip it will involve visits to a exciting tour please contact Jack

Gang-gang November 2003 11

Holland 62887840 AH or by email incomplete. HIDEAWAY FOR TWO! on [email protected], who can also provide further Guerilla Bay / Burrewarra Point For a variety of reasons the basic information, including a fuller Lovely, clean and quiet self con- program has been limited to two tained 1 bedroom flat amid trees, itinerary. A $100 deposit will be own courtyard and garden, adjacent weekends per month, trying to needed within a month of booking Burrewarra Point clifftop reserve. have an outing on the 2nd and 4th to ensure your seat on the bus. Close unspoiled walks, beaches. weekends, one a local morning, Deposit cheques should be made Over 120 bird species seen in the and the other a longer day/ local area, half from the property out to Emu Tours and sent to and lots of other interesting fauna overnight trip. One of the main Treasurer COG, PO Box 301 and flora. Reasonable rates. reasons for this is to provide some CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2608. Contact Joan and Trevor Lipscombe certainty to members which 02 6262 7975. weekends they might expect a Booking and Cancellation Policy ………. COG excursion. This has Emu Tours cancellation policy PASSIVE SOLAR HOUSE occasionally been a bit hard to will apply. Refunds of monies are South Rosedale stick to as the program is only made if a replacement can be Arupingi is a passive solar house essentially built around the long found to take the vacant place or if situated in a peaceful bushland set- weekend camp-outs etc. the tour is cancelled. Travel ting in South Rosedale. Birdwatch- insurance, including cancellation ing is possible from the comfort of a We also need to be a bit flexible to chair on the front or back deck. For cover, is strongly recommended. the more energetic, Guerrilla Bay allow for opportunistic trips as has and Burrewarra Point are within happened in 2003, for example This is the third time this outing walking distance. The wetlands at when good spots are noted on has been advertised, with as yet no Barling’s Beach are only few kilome- COG-l. Further, some are ters away. Rich birding is available indication from any member in almost any direction, the Eurobo- advertised only as local nature intending to participate. If anyone dalla Botanical Gardens are a fa- park, water birds for beginners etc, is interested please let Jack vourite spot. The front beach at with the actual venue to be Holland know 62887840 AH or by Rosedale is patrolled by the resident decided closer to the day. email on [email protected] white sea-eagle. Tariff - $50 per night; $250 per week ($300 per as soon as possible. If, as seems week in school holidays); 3 night There are also still some gaps, probable, there is insufficient weekend $125; 15 December to 31 particularly in winter - so if you int e re st fro m t he C OG January - $400 per week. have a favourite spot/trip that you membership to fill the bus, it will Further details contact – Greg or think should be included, or where be advertised to Emu Tour’s wider Sallie Ramsay, 31 MacRobertson you think COG should go to St, MAWSON, ACT 2607, phone clientele, and unfortunately will 6286 1564 or e-mail at again, or have any reasonable no longer be a COG specific trip. [email protected] suggestion, there is still the ………. opportunity to do so.

MUDBRICK COTTAGE DRAFT FIELD TRIPS Mallacoota As yet no decision has been made PROGRAM FOR 2004 Our mudbrick cottage is available for for the Easter long weekend. In rental for all those nature lovers out 2000 COG went to a place at there!! It is set amongst the trees in Tullamore (NW of Parkes, 360 km As promised the draft 2004 COG Mallacoota, Victoria (approximately Field Trips Program is included 4 hours drive from Canberra). It is drive), which has been suggested for members’ comments. A only 10 minutes walk to the beach, 5 again. It is available and while it special thank you to those minutes walk to the golf course and comes strongly recommended we members who responded so about 15 minutes walk to town. It would need a leader. It would sleeps 4-6 upstairs and there is a positively to my approach to both sofa bed downstairs. It is fully self- either be a bring everything camp nominate and lead an outing. This contained with a kitchen and laun- on one property, or we could use has resulted in a very sound basis dry. Please contact Barbara de the shearer's quarters/toilets at the for outings for 2004. However, as Bruine (02 – 62583531) for further property across the road. can be seen the program is still information. Mughorn Gap, where COG has

Gang-gang November 2003 12

Sun 18 January Jerrabomberra Wetlands* Morning also been in the past, has been 24-26 January - Aust Does COG want an outing If so suggestions/offers suggested as an alternative. Day long weekend over this time? please? Again a leader would be needed. Other suggestions are Sat 7 February Yarralumla Foreshores Evening walk 17.30 also welcomed. Sun 22 February Pemberton (Tuggeranong) morning Sun 7 March Bibaringa Morning – fire recovery There is only 1 longer visit commercial trip on the draft Sat – Mon 13-15 Thredbo Weekend accommodation program. As noted elsewhere March (Canberra Day – already advertised in this edition of Gang-gang long weekend) this has a lready been Sun 21 March advertised but there has been Sun 4 April Oakey Hill to Mt Taylor Longish morning walk – no interest whatsoever, despite car shuffle good recent publicity for it. 28 March - 4 April Plains wanderer/mallee Commercial tour with Emu Since there has been low fowl Tours interest from members in the 9-12 April Easter Tullamore/Mughorn Easter Camp-out last 3 commercial trips offered, Gap?? there will be no more trips of this kind until the situation Sun 18 April Honeyeater migration Morning changes (it appears that with so 24-26 April (Anzac Does COG want to do this weekend? many other options available, Day long weekend) something COG members will only Sun 9 May East Basin/Molonglo Morning to view nesting consider participating if the trip Reach (Electric Boat) darters etc is really special). Sun 23 May

12-14 June long Green Cape Weekend - seabirds/whales As indicated, leaders are still weekend needed for a number of Sun 27 June Glossy Blacks/Swift par- Morning/day outings. If you can help with rot search* these or have any comments or Sat 10 July Botanic gardens* Beginners morning offers of a place to go and/or Sun 25 July Bungonia Gorge Day outing lead, please let Jack Holland Sun 8 August Local Lake- Waterbirds Morning know 6288 7840 AH or at for beginners* [email protected] by Sat 21 August Reveg and Remnants Morning 17 December. The final Sun 5 September program will be published with the February 2004 Gang-gang, Sun 19 September Lake Road Morning which will be available late 2-4 October long Buddigower Nature Re- Long weekend camp-out January. weekend serve/Charcoal tank Sun 17 October “Bundidgerry" via Extended Morning Jack Holland Murrumbateman Sun 31October Gundaroo/Belmount TSRs, Private property – Forest day Sun 7 November Canberra Nature Park – Morning Mugga Lane Sat/Sun 20-21 No- Bumbalong Valley Overnight/2 nights

vember (Bredbo) camp-out Sun 5 December Local Nature Park* morning

* Leader needed

Gang-gang November 2003 13

Participants will be expected to have some knowledge of waterbirds, wetlands and habitat management issues. Please bring a Field Guide, a pair of binoculars and gumboots and wet gear, if you have them.

Price: $396 for 2-day workshop, lunch and Workshop Notes. For further information and Bookings please contact Parklands Bookings Coordinator on: Ph: 612- 9714 7509 or for a Registration Form contact Tanya Rough (COG) by email at [email protected] or at home by phone 61610151.

MULLIGAN'S FLAT SURVEY SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER Hardhead (Aythya australis) various approaches and methods 2003 Photo courtesy Geoffrey Dabb of rehabilitating and restoring waterbird habitats, with special See field trip reports for a report emphasis on wader habitats. Other surveys/Activities on the September Survey. Volunteers for the upcoming of Interest to COG Several site tours and case studies November survey please leave a Members will expose you to practical phone message for Jenny Bounds problems and successful solutions. on 6288 7802 in the week before WATERBIRD In these workshops attention is the survey if you are available - IDENTIFICATION AND given to hands-on training and bring mug for morning tea, MANAGEMENT education in the assessment, clipboard, pencil etc, and wear WORKSHOP ;10-11 planning, restoration, monitoring, sturdy shoes. NOVEMBER 2003 and 20-21 research and management of FEBRUARY 2004 natural and man made wetlands. COWRA WOODLAND Emphasis is placed on practical SURVEY 6-7 DECEMBER 2003 Sydney Olympic Park Authority experiences of successful repair (SOPA) is presenting two 2-day and restoration of wetlands in The next Cowra Woodland practical workshops on Wetland Sydney Olympic Park and survey will be held over the Restoration and Management. elsewhere. Top experts in their weekend of 6-7 December. If you relevant fields will deliver these are interested in participating On 10-11 November 2003 a high quality tutorials. please contact Sue Proust on practical workshop will take you [email protected]. Who should attend? Bird lovers, through step-by-step procedures of we t lands a nd c atc hme nt s identification of waterbirds, you technicians, managers, planners, will go through curatorial consultants, ecologists, volunteers, specimens and field samples. In coast and river carers, engineers, the 20-21 February 2004 students, scientists, rangers and workshop, you will learn about conservationists.

Gang-gang November 2003 14

EARLY MORNING WALKS of helpfulness Aeolus even DURING AUSTRALIAN AvIan Whimsy # 15 arranged for the sea to be calm

ORNITHOLOGICAL during this nesting period. These Recently I was enjoying a Sacred CONFERENCE (AOC) of course were ‘halcyon days’, doing its bit towards and Halcyon was of course a the recovery of fire-ravaged n conjunction with the 2nd kingfisher. I Duffy. Whilst doing so it occurred Australasian Ornithological to me that perhaps we take the Conference (AOC), which will be There’s more though, as they say, oddly religious name for granted; held in December at the ANU, and I hope you jotted down some as far as I know, it is only one of COG is organising some early of those names! Alcyone was the two bird species in the world with morning walks in the Australian name originally allocated to the ‘sacred’ as an English name. Now Nationa l Botanic Gardens Bismarck Kingfisher of the islands be honest – have you ever (ANBG) and the ANU. These north-east of New Guinea; is wondered about why it’s sacred? will run from about 6.30 am for now a genus of small fishing (Well OK, I knew that you would round 90 minutes, and are , in which the have, but I’ll bet we-both-know- proposed for the ANBG on the Australian Little Kingfisher was who has never given it a thought!). mornings of 11 (Thursday) and 13 formerly included.

(Saturday) December and for the T h e Sa c re d K i n gf i s h e r , ANU on Friday 12 December. At a slight tangent – and yes, I Todirhamphus sanctus, even know it’s atypical – our Little and carries the ‘sacred’ epithet in its I am looking for assistance to Azure Kingfishers are now scientific name. It is also found help lead these walks and am in included in Alcedo; unimaginative throughout much of the western particular interested in volunteers but unequivocal in being Latin for Pacific, New Guinea and who know the ANBG/ANU well, kingfisher. When the taxonomist Indonesia, and it is from the including those who may have Hermann named the kookaburra in Pacific that the epithet derives. To early morning access the ANBG. 1783 he was either feeling the Polynesians, it – and other As small groups of not more than desperate or cute; Dacelo is an kingfishers – were responsible for 10 are proposed, it is expected that anagram of Alcedo! tides and waves, which must have several leaders will be needed been of ultimate significance to each day. A number of people The only other ‘sacred’ bird name them. have agreed to help, but a few I know of is the Sacred Ibis of more are needed. If you can help sub-Saharan Africa. (Now there’s Nor were the Polynesians unique please contact Jack Holland (6288 a challenge for you!) For a long in incorporating kingfishers into 7840 AH or by E-mail on time the Australian White Ibis was their mythology. Before the [email protected]). included with this species, and Sacred Kingfisher was lumbered like the Sacred Kingfisher we with its current appalling genus would have searched in vain at name, which means ‘tody-billed’, home for the name origin. It THREATENED BIRD it was included in the genus comes from ancient Egypt – as NETWORK / ATLAS Halcyon. The Greeks told of King does the word ‘ibis’ itself, surely NEWSLETTER Ceyx of Trachis, lost at sea and one of the few common English leaving his grieving widow he latest TBN/Atlas newsletter words with such an origin. T Alcyone (daughter of Aeolus, (called Volunteer 17) and can be Curiously the bird has not been a custodian of the four winds, which downloaded regular in Egypt for some 150 he kept, as one does, in a cave on from the following website: http:// years, but thousands of years ago an island near Sicily). In an www.birdsaustralia.com.au/tbn/ it turned up in large numbers unc ha rac te rist ic show of index.html when the Nile flooded. This was a compassion the gods united both key event for Egyptian agriculture as birds – the halcyon – which and by a process of reversing nested on the sea. In a further act cause and effect, the ibis became

Gang-gang November 2003 15

sacred, the incarnation of Hopefully this should all put to Next new sletter Djeheuty, know to the Greeks as rest the theory circulating in COG Thoth. He was the god of wisdom, in November 1999 that the name DECEMBER deadline Friday 21 November 2003 who invented writing and was the Sacred Kingfisher was itself a divine mediator. He is most often typo of the true name. This theory Send updates to represented as a man with the was based on a COG trip report to Tanya Rough, Editor Gang-gang head of an ibis. the Strike-a-Light River, by an [email protected] or esteemed member of the COG [email protected] For this reason the Sacred Ibis was committee (and it’s OK JB, I Ph: 6161 0151 (ah) probably the world’s first bird to won’t name you). There she Articles should be less than 500 words (300 for reports of 1-day field trips; 150 for be declared protected – though the recorded “two pairs of Scared Atlassing Snapshots), except by prior thousands of mummified ones Kingfisher”. And on that note, arrangement with the editor. Print may have preferred that the human perhaps I should become scarce photographs with articles encouraged. Egyptians hadn’t bothered. too. Ian Fraser [email protected]

COG info President Gang-gang editor Office (6247 4996) Barry Baker, ph 6274 2402 (w), Tanya Rough 6161 0151 (h) COG maintains an office in room mobile 0412 484 728 Newsletter distribution G5, Griffin Centre, Bunda Street, Vice President Lia Battisson and helpers civic. Nicki Taws, ph 6251 0303 Office volunteers are not in Canberra Birds Conservation Fund attendance for regular opening Treasurer Donations to this fund are tax hours. Joan Lipscombe ph 6262 7975 deductible. Funds are used to Members access by prior Secretary support projects that protect and arrangement. enhance native birds and the Doug Laing ph 6287 7700 (h) COG E-mail Discussion List environments that sustain them. Membership inquiries COG has an email announcement Contact Alastair Smith 6281 3221 (h) COG website and discussion list for members and or 0401 993 381 for changes of http://www.canberrabirds. friends of COG: ‘Canberra Birding’, address or other details dynamite.com.au also known by the nickname ‘cog-1’. Address for correspondence COG membership Join the list at http://www.topica.com/lists/canber The Secretary 2003-2004 membership: Individuals, families and institutions: $35. school rabirds or by sending a blank COG, PO Box 301 email message to canberrabirds- Civic Square, ACT 2608 students (under 18): $17.50.

SURFACE POSTAGE MAIL PAID Gang-gang AUSTRALIA If undeliverable, please return to Canberra Ornithologists Group, Inc. PO Box 301, Civic Square ACT 2608

Print Post Approved PP 232100/00028 Gang-gang November 2003 16